Birthing 

Article By: Faron Stubbert 

Many of us by now are done kidding, in the middle of kidding or kidding soon. We all have 
experienced one kind of problem or another during kidding, but many of the kids have no problems 
in coming into this world, but a small percentage do. Birthing can present many issues that may 
require your assistance, so have plenty of towels and water on hand and help out the moms who are 
having a hard time birthing. 

There are several ways for kids to present themselves for birthing and careful observation will 
determined if assistance is needed. 

NORMAL – The kid’s nose is positioned between the front hooves facing out. This is the easiest 
birth and all you have to do is observe and making sure the Mom takes care of her kids. 

MULTIPLE BIRTHS – Having twins is common and expected. On a rare occasion, a doe can have 
triplets or just a singleton. I have heard of quadruplet births. It’s best to only have twins or a 
singleton. 

FORELEG BACK – One leg is bent back and may complicate the birth. If the Mom is having 
difficulty, it will be required of you to reach in and bring the leg forward.
 
BREECH – A breech is when the kid is facing the opposite direction and can cause a very difficult 
birth. The main concern here is that the sac could break before the kid is completely out and could 
suffocate. Your assistance here is very important and you can help the birth by gently pulling the 
kids out. 

HEAD TURNED BACK – If the kids head is turned back, it my have difficulty entering the birth 
canal. It will be required of you to reach in and turning the head forward between the kid’s hooves. 

I’m sure there are many more incidents that can cause problems in birthing, but in careful 
observation, you can help the Moms in giving birth and in some cases, save a kid’s life. 

Once the kid is on the ground and you made sure the kid is breathing, check on the umbilical cord. If 
still attached, tie off the cord with a soft string, about 2 inches below the kids belly and then cut the 
cord on the Mom’s end of the tie off. Disinfect the kid’s umbilical cord with iodine. 

When the afterbirth is expelled, dispose of it. In nature, the Moms will eat the afterbirth to protect 
their young. There is no benefit to the Mom for eating the afterbirth. If the Mom doesn’t expel the 
afterbirth, call the veterinarian, as you don’t just want to pull it out which could cause hemorrhaging.